The City of Concord strongly encourages all residential customers to recycle. It is good for the environment. Please follow the following guidelines for recyclable materials.

Acceptable Recyclables & Proper Preparation Procedures

Download list of materials acceptable for curbside recycling

• Aluminum Cans - All aluminum beverage containers may be recycled. Crush cans to save space in recyclables containers.
  
  **Please note that aluminum cans are collected by City of Concord Fire Departments to   raise money for the NC Firefighters' Burned Children Fund.  You may donate your aluminum cans at any time by placing them in the trailer parked in front of Fire Station #3 (100 Warren C. Coleman Blvd., Concord). 
  
  
• Glass Containers - All glass containers may be recycled. Rinse out containers and remove metal lids before placing the glass in the Recyclables Container.
• Magazines, Shopping Catalogs - Magazines, home shopping catalogs, and telephone books may be recycled
• Newspapers, Inserts and Junk Mail - Newspapers including all inserts and junk mail may be recycled. To prevent paper from being blown by wind, please place in a brown paper bag. Paper should not be placed in plastic bags.
• Cardboard - Corrugated cardboard may be recycled. Empty corrugated cardboard boxes, cut into pieces no larger than 3 feet by 3 feet, flatten, and stack neatly at the curbside. On windy days, place cardboard under your Recyclables Container.
• Paperboard - Cereal boxes, cracker boxes, juice box cardboard and can drink pack cardboard may be recycled.  Flatten these items to save space in your recycle bin.
• Steel Cans - Steel cans may be recycled. Rinse to remove any remaining foodstuff before placing in the Recyclables Container for collection.
• Telephone Books - Telephone books may be recycled.
• #1 Plastics (PET) - Soft drink bottles, water bottles, vinegar bottles, medicine bottles, beer and liquor bottles may be recycled if they are stamped with a recycling symbol with the number one in the center. Discard lids in the garbage and place rinsed bottles in the Recyclables Container.
• #2 Plastics (HDPE) - Milk jugs, plastic laundry and dish detergent containers, fabric softeners bottles, bleach bottles and, shampoo and conditioner containers may be recycled if they are stamped with a recycling symbol with the number two in the center. Discard lids in the garbage and place rinsed bottles in the Recyclables Container.
  
  

  SPECIAL ITEMS

  • Plastic Grocery Bags Please recycle these items by taking them back to local grocery stores or big box retailers
  • Plant Material  Recycle leaves, grass clippings, and fruit & vegetable scraps by composting
  • Paint and Other Household Hazardous Waste Materials Recycle or properly dispose of these items by taking them to Cabarrus County's Household Hazardous Waste Facility on General Services Dr., just off Hwy. 49 in Concord.  Visit the HHWF website for hours of operation http://www.cabarruscounty.us/waste/hazardous.html or call 704-920 EARTH (3278)
  • Smoke detectors Because they contain a small amount of radioactive material, smoke detectors may not be disposed of in the landfill.  Information on the proper disposal of smoke detectors and other household hazardous waste can be found on the Cabarrus County Household Hazard Waste Facility's website:  www.cabarruscounty.us/Waste/HazardousWaste.html

  • Compact Fluorescent Light Bulbs (CFLs)  Because fluorescent light bulbs contain mercury, they are considered household hazardous waste, and should not be placed in the garbage.  7 Cabarrus County locations now accept CFLs from County residents:

    1. Cabarrus County Household Hazardous Waste Facility www.cabarruscounty.us/Waste/HazardousWaste.html  (This location also accepts fluorescent light tubes)

    2. Cabarrus County Governmental Center, County Manager's Office

    3. Cabarrus County Human Services Center

    4. Concord Library

    5. Kannapolis Library

    6. Mt. Pleasant Library

    7. Harrisburg Library

    *CFLs should not be broken, and should be contained in zipped, plastic baggies.

   

  Special information

  • Rainy days - Residents are encouraged not to place paper products (newspapers, magazines, cardboard, etc.) out on extremely rainy days, but to save them until your next dry collection days.
    
  • Windy days - To prevent windblown litter, place newspapers into a brown paper bag (no plastic bags please). If you have multiple recycling bins, place the newspaper in the bottom container and stack your second container on top to hold the newspaper in place. Place your corrugated under your recycling bin to hold it in place.
    

  • Items that are NOT Recyclable - The following items may not be recycled: aerosol cans, spiral paper cans, aluminum foil, aluminum plates, light bulbs, plate glass, auto glass, tempered glass, mirrors and ceramics (dishware, coffee mugs, china), pizza boxes, plastic food wrapping, and plastic grocery bags.  Plastic grocery bag recycling is available at most area grocery stores. 

    
    

     

  • Electronic items are also accepted at the Cabarrus County Household Hazardous Waste Facility on scheduled collection days or by appointment.